Tue Dec 31 07:26:47 UTC 2024: ## Indian Chess Dominance Continues: Humpy Wins World Rapid Championship

**New York, December 30, 2024** – India’s Koneru Humpy secured a stunning victory in the Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship, defeating Indonesia’s Irene Sukandar in the final round. This is Humpy’s second World Rapid title, adding to her 2019 win, and a significant achievement given her 10th seed ranking and the increasingly youthful competition. The win comes just weeks after 18-year-old D. Gukesh became the youngest-ever World Chess Champion in the classical format, solidifying India’s position as a global chess powerhouse.

India’s recent success includes a double gold medal win at the Chess Olympiad in September, a feat previously achieved only by the former Soviet Union and China. This dominance is attributed to a combination of factors: a relatively active chess federation, strong parental support, growing corporate sponsorship, and the availability of Grandmaster coaches nationwide. The legacy of five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand also plays a crucial role.

However, despite its remarkable achievements, the article highlights the need for continued support and recognition for chess in India. While some states like Tamil Nadu provide significant backing, others, including Delhi, reportedly lack sufficient government support, as recently highlighted by Tania Sachdev, a member of the victorious Indian women’s Olympiad team. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for broader national support to maintain India’s leading position in the world of chess.

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